Pranitha Kamat

Address, Telephone and e-Mail

Research

Title: Acute anti-inflammatory effects of reconstituted high-density lipoproteins (rHDL) and intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG).

Project and me: Having obtained an undergraduate degree in Biotechnology from Bangalore University, India, I continued my studies at Napier University, UK as a MSc student in drug design and biomedical science. The one year postgraduation course terminated into a 3 month research project which I performed at the University of Glasgow, UK. My interest and dedication throughout the program was applauded by the university which honored me with the University Medal for passing with high distinction.

The work at center for cell engineering in Glasgow University was directed towards optimization of surface topography for endothelial cell adhesion. Here, I was part of a research group leading in tissue engineering using nanotechnology. The project aimed to design a blood vessel and engineer this in vitro. My role was to particularly concentrate on the innermost layer of this blood vessel and identify a 2D topography for optimal cell growth. I was thus working with endothelial cells and studying their growth and differentiation on biomaterials, which differed in surface roughness at a nano-metric scale.

With an experience of working with endothelial cells, understanding their morphology, growth, etc I now intend to apply this knowledge in testing potential candidates for ischemia reperfusion (IR) injury. Damage of the endothelial layer is considered to be a major player behind IR injury and the focus of the PhD project is to identify a substance that would protect this layer as well as portray anti-inflammatory activities. Testing of the potential drug candidates however requires an in vitro set up of endothelial layer in whole blood xenotransplant setting, before experimentation with animal models. Hypothesis is that this could be accomplished by application of nano-techniques.

The in vitro model would eventually be the very first of its kind with a variety of possible applications. Once tested with the in vitro model, the most efficient compound could then be experimented in animals. If proven efficient at this stage and after clinical trials, it could pave its way as an attenuator drug for IR injury.

Education

Educational

Degree	Projects submitted	Year
MSc drug design and biomedical science, Napier University, Scotland	‘Surface optimization of nano topographies for endothelial cell adhesion’, Glasgow University, Scotland	2006/07
BSc Biotechnology, Bangalore University, India	1. Clinical pathology 2. Immunological techniques	2003/05

Certificate courses

Course	Duration	Year
Bioinformatics	6 months	2006
Indian dance, Bharathanatyam	1 year	2006
C, C++, Unix	6 months	2003

Hobbies

• Performing, choreographing and teaching Bharathanatyam and other Indian dances
• Sports
  
• Philosophy and spirituality
• Making snowman with Carmen
  

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